Harbaugh in contact with NFL over quarterback contact rules

Santa Clara, Calif. - Apparently aware of the comments LB Clay Matthews made regarding the NFL's interpretation of when a quarterback is subject to out-of-pocket rules, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he is trying to get more clarification on what is going to be called.

The league's referees told teams this summer that quarterbacks who run the read-option won't be given the protections a pocket passer is when they take part in the run-option part of the scheme.

Some could interpret that to mean that Colin Kaepernick is fair game even after he hands the ball off and carries out the fake portion of the play. In college, quarterbacks who run the option, often take big hits as they're pitching the ball or after they've given the ball to the running back on the dive play.

Harbaugh said has been in contact with the NFL, which might the first step in his campaign to pursuade the officials to protect his running quarterback,

"We’re still doing some talking there to full understand what they’re saying," he said Wednesday.

Harbaugh said he would talk with officials before the game about the rules governing quarterbacks in the pocket.

"You’re hearing a lot of tough talk right now, intimidating type of talk, the kind of things, the same thing we were hearing a couple of years ago," Harbaugh said. "It sounds like targeting a specific player. You definitely start to wonder.

"A man will usually tell you his bad intentions if you just listen when you (hear) what’s being discussed publicly, what’s being said publicly, not what’s being said privately. You hope that their intent is not going to be anything that’s not within the rules."

Harbaugh said he thought there was a bit of gray area in how the rule is applied and he would like that cleared up.

"Well, my opinion is when a quarterback, before he is declared being a runner, he should be afforded protection that all quarterbacks are afforded until he declares and gets out of the pocket and starts running the ball or running the option or carrying out a bootleg and attempting a run or a pass when he’s outside the pocket," Harbaugh said.

"When he’s in the pocket, I believe he’s a quarterback until he declares that he’s a runner. Those are the conversations right now. Haven’t gotten final clarification on what it’s going to be."

About Tom Silverstein

Tom Silverstein is in his 25th year covering the Green Bay Packers and 30th year with the Journal Sentinel. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year award winner.